Authorities: Drug suspects used senior housing

DETROIT (AP) — Dozens of people intimidated senior citizens in Detroit so they could take over their apartments and use them for selling illegal drugs, officials said Monday.

Authorities executed arrest warrants at two apartment buildings on Monday, taking 20 people into custody, and they were seeking roughly 20 others, the Wayne County sheriff’s department said.

“These people basically forced their way into these people’s homes,” Undersheriff Daniel Pfannes told reporters outside one of the buildings.

The sheriff’s department said it was working with federal authorities, Wayne State University police, the Wayne County prosecutor’s office and others as part of a “Save our Seniors” investigation that includes buildings north of downtown.

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“I’m glad it’s happening,” Lamar Keith, 64, who has lived at one building since he turned 55, told the Detroit Free Press. “It’s good riddance. There’s a lot of old people in here that can’t protect themselves.”

Undercover officers moved into the buildings as part of the investigation, Wayne State University police Chief Anthony Holt said.

Some of those selling drugs were senior citizens, Holt said.

“Some did not actually live here ... but were using the apartments of seniors to do it with,” he said. “Some of them were done by force. Some of them were done by intimidation, just sort of taking over.”

Resident Cornel Brown, 66, was on his way home from a coffee shop Monday morning when he saw police surrounding an apartment complex. He told The Detroit News he’s aware of drug activity but considers the property to be safe.

“I imagine there are people overstaying their welcome here, but I think this is a little overboard,” Brown said.

The office of Sheriff Benny Napoleon said the suspects sold narcotics and marijuana.

According to the sheriff’s department, the investigation began last year following a complaint to the Detroit Housing Commission. Some of the suspects are sought on state charges and others face federal prosecution.